This course is aimed at those with an interest in both practical acting and English literature. You’ll enhance your performing skills to industry-standard, while simultaneously studying English literature in its cultural-historical context. The course is split evenly between the study of English literature and the study of acting.
English is studied from the early 19th century to the present day providing a modern, interdisciplinary approach to literature. You’ll develop an appreciation of different genres and explore the value of literature in the modern world. Practical acting projects will often work alongside the English texts you are studying. You will read, analyse and perform texts of a similar era at the same time, thereby deepening your understanding of both literature and acting.
Our programme is not a drama/theatre studies course – we aim to train actors to vocational standard over four years. Along with intensive classes and workshops in acting, you will study alongside the BA (Hons) English degree students in a variety of classes that cover subjects from Shakespeare to Romantic poetry to modern drama.
You’ll study:
- Acting: The ability to develop, play and sustain a character in performance
- Voice: Enhancing your vocal range and potential
- Movement:Enhancing your physical capabilities.
You’ll also get vocational and industry-relevant training through intensive workshops, centred on acting for stage and screen and on the craft, practice and business of performance.
Throughout the course there will be a particular focus on enhancing confidence and communication, and deepening the ability to be cogent and articulate about a variety of critical approaches and the process of performance. You’ll benefit from studying in a vibrant city with a great literary heritage and plenty of relevant cultural events.
You’ll prepare for work in live and recorded performances. The course culminates with the opportunity either to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival or to produce a thesis in a chosen subject area, depending on where you decide to concentrate study in your final year.
This unique combination of skills and knowledge will equip you with a wide range of options for work or further academic study.
Additional mandatory costs
Recommended for the start of the course:
- ‘Mastering the Shakespeare Audition: A Quick Guide to Performance Success’ by Donna Soto-Morettini (£17)
- 32GB USB pen drive which (around £15)
- Women: A rehearsal skirt (£10-£20) and character shoes (£10-£25)
- Men: dark rehearsal suit jacket (second hand is fine- £10-£30) and dark-coloured hard-soles shoes (£10-£30)
Year 4, trimester 2: you will need to get a professional head shot (ranging from £50-£150 depending on the photographer)